Non-woven fiber assemblies

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; and an elastomeric component, and wherein the non-woven fiber assembly further comprises an adhesive component. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; an elastomeric component; and an adhesive component, wherein the hydrophilic component, the elastomeric component and the adhesive component are all contained within each fiber. Also disclosed is a method of making the afore-mentioned non-woven fiber assemblies. Additionally, a medical dressing made from the non-woven fiber assemblies of the present invention is disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to composite fiber assemblies. More particularly, this invention relates to composite nanofiber assemblies that can be produced from a polymeric matrix material.[0002]Various techniques are known in the textile field for the creation of fibers. Melt-blowing, the nanofibers by gas jet (NGJ) technique, and electrospinning are included among these techniques. In a melt-blowing process, a stream of molten polymer or other fiber-forming material is typically extruded into a jet of gas to form fibers. The resulting fibers are typically greater than 1,000 nanometers in diameter, and more typically, greater than 10,000 nanometers in diameter.[0003]A technique and apparatus for forming fibers having a diameter of less than 3,000 nanometers according to the NGJ technique is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,382,526 and 6,520,425, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.[0004]The electrospinning of liquids and / or solutio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a medical dressing that can stick to dry skin but not to wet surfaces like wounds or early stages of healing. The dressing contains fibers that have an adhesive, elastomeric, and hydrophilic components. The invention also provides a method of making the dressing and a method of treating patients with it. The invention also includes an apparatus for making the fibers.

Problems solved by technology

Use of such a laminate-type structure, however, suffers from the disadvantage that the hydrophobic layer can form a barrier to liquids and interfere with the absorption of liquid by the wettable layer.

Additionally, upon absorption of liquid, the wettable polymer layer will weaken and misalignment, slipping, or even separation of the layers may occur, resulting in failure of the integrity of the article.

However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,331 does not provide a medical dressing that adheres to undamaged skin only.

It also does not provide a single-component dressing that can adhere to a desired area of a patient, or a dressing comprised of composite fibers that vary in their composition along their length.

If the gauze or bandages are not sterile, these products offer little help in protecting the wound.

Electrospinning a wound dressing in place over a wound, however, limits the types of solvents that may be used to only those solvents that are compatible with the skin or other tissue to which the dressing is applied.

Likewise, because the types of usable solvents are limited, the types of additives, such as, for example, absorbents, bactericides, and antibiotics, that may be used in conjunction with the polymer are also limited to those that are soluble, or form a stable dispersion in the particular solvent used.

Similarly, the types of polymers that may be used are also limited to those that are soluble in a skin- or tissue-compatible solvent.

For example, when poly(ethylenimine) fiber is exposed to fluid, it will participate in proton transfer, resulting in an alkaline pH in the fluid contacting the polymer.

The creation of an undesirable pH environment may cause side effects, such as slow wound healing.

The resulting fibers, however, do not provide a dressing which adheres to undamaged skin only.

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